Loaded: Pulp reform to heat up next summer

Pulp make their big bid for reformation glory next summer. While they're being hotly pursued for their first Irish engagement since the Ambassador in December 2001, as yet there's no indication whether they'll plump for Oxegen, Electric Picnic or something else entirely.

Pulp make their big bid for reformation glory next summer. While they're being hotly pursued for their first Irish engagement since the Ambassador in December 2001, as yet there's no indication whether they'll plump for Oxegen, Electric Picnic or something else entirely.

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Loaded: Pulp reform to heat up next summer

Independent.ie

Pulp make their big bid for reformation glory next summer. While they're being hotly pursued for their first Irish engagement since the Ambassador in December 2001, as yet there's no indication whether they'll plump for Oxegen, Electric Picnic or something else entirely.

Not seen in their full original line-up form since Barcelona back in 1996, the band return to the Catalan capital to headline the increasingly popular Primavera Sound festival. While the exact reason for reforming in 2011 remains unclear, perhaps Jarvis Cocker's memorable quip holds a clue. "I don't really want it engraved on me tombstone that I was the person who wiggled his arse at Michael Jackson."

Fittingly, in the week that some commentators claimed that class had disappeared from Britain, it has emerged that the newly engaged Prince William is a fan. "'One wants to live with the common people' ... Don't quite know what to make of that," Jarvis mused. "Good name to have on the guestlist, though."

Damon Albarn has revealed that Blur are also considering some activity in 2011, but don't expect it to be a repeat run of their Glastonbury and Oxegen headline slots of 2009. "We did talk about doing something in January," he said. "Something small, no career-based, world-domination ideas."

Albarn is seemingly addicted to keeping himself on his toes. Days after wowing the O2 in Dublin with the Gorillaz live extravaganza, he claimed he was working on another album on his iPad and intends to release it before Christmas. He also stated that he'd love to do one-off Blur singles along the lines of Fool's Day for Record Store Day last April.

Loaded has learnt that in addition to blockbuster shows from Take That, The Script, Kings of Leon and Bon Jovi, U2 are eyeing up Irish dates in summer 2011. It's understood that the feasibility of staging shows in the Aviva Stadium has been investigated, but the band's gargantuan production specifications have made it more likely that two dates will be announced for GAA headquarters.

This seems just about right to cater for demand, as the three-night stand back in July 2009 struggled to get full capacity. Whether or not U2 fans are willing to fork out for Croker tickets again relatively soon after those controversial shows remains to be seen. Local residents mightn't be too enthused either.

Ricky Gervais has written a revealing tribute to David Bowie on the publication of yet another new book on the pop chameleon's early years. Bowie memorably did a hilarious cameo turn on Extras, which is one of the funniest clips on YouTube that's well worth glancing at to brighten up your day.

Gervais (above) reveals that Bowie caused him to grow his hair, wear stupid clothes and manage a band that reminded him of Bowie, who were an early incarnation of Suede. The pair got acquainted and the end of the piece is comic gold. "A few years later I emailed David on his 57th birthday," Gervais writes. "It read: '57???? Isn't it about time you got a proper job? Ricky Gervais, 42, Comedian.' He replied: "I do have a proper job. David Bowie, 57, Rock God."